Court to review restraining order before Hartlepool man is sentenced for threatening to damage family home

A judge asked police to check on a Hartlepool prisoner’s family life.
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Phillip Metcalfe, 33, is on remand in Leeds Prison after pleading guilty to threatening to damage the home he shared with partner and their three children.

She had been in a relationship with him for 11 years, and on October 9 she made a statement mentioning a restraining order and her fears for her personal safety, said prosecutor NIgel Soppitt.

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Metcalfe’s lawyer told Teesside Crown Court that the order had been imposed without her applying for it, and it was revoked after she made an application.

The case was heard at Teesside Crown Court. The case was heard at Teesside Crown Court.
The case was heard at Teesside Crown Court.

Stephen Constantine, defending, said that she was on an approved list of contact from prison, and she had written to Metcalfe.

Mr Constantine said that Metcalfe played a key role in looking after their children at weekends when their mother worked.

He has been in custody since October 17 after he pleaded guilty in the magistrates court to a breach of a suspended 10 months prison sentence imposed for a non-dwelling burglary and theft of scrap metal.

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Mr Constantine told the judge: “It is down to the Crown to reconsider a restraining order and it would allow the court to consider an alternative.

“There are potential issues to be considered.”

Judge Stephen Ashurst said that he would adjourn the sentence for the police and probation service to provide reports.

The judge said: “There are situations where pressures are placed on victims regarding domestic abuse and there are issues whether they should obtain an order.

”I think that the probation service could liaise with the police in situations where there are issues.”

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He told Metcalfe, who appeared over a videolink from Leeds Prison: “I think the court ought to know what is the truth about your current relationship and whether she is a woman who should have the protection of the court if it is needed.”

Metcalfe, of Sheriff Street, Hartlepool, was further remanded in custody for a pre-sentence report before sentence on December 13.